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 Greece
Sacred Sites |
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Sacred Sites is our most popular tour, and no wonder — it traverses the Peloponnese peninsula where Greek mythology was practically born. The antiquities in this region are incomparable. Visit Mycenae where King Agamemnon is buried, the ruler who launched the Trojan War. There’s Epidavros Theater with its impeccable acoustics and millennia later is still in use, now by modern Greeks staging ancient Greek dramas. The beauty of this tour is that you will cycle directly to all these precious sites.
The tour crosses the Corinth Gulf by ferry boat to get to the mainland to go to Delphi which the ancients regarded as the center of the universe. Here is where the city-states called upon the oracles to prophesize their futures.
Evia island is the final destination of the tour. At Loutro Edipsos you stay in spa built atop natural thermal healing waters which spew into the hotel swimming pools.
The May 12-13 tour offers a special one-time-only guest cyclist -- a West Point professor of military history with an expertise in ancient Greek military history who will give daily seminars en route.
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Highlights
- Lion’s Gate at Mycenae, Europe’s oldest monument
- 999 steps to the 17th century Palamidi fortress, built by the Venetians
- Exploring Ancient Olympia
- 3rd century BC Epidavros Theater able to seat 15,000
- Thermal hot springs on Evia island
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Tour Details |
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Activities: | | Cycling |
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Rating: | | Moderate to Challenging |
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Dates: | |
May 2- 13, 2009
August 26 - September 6, 2009
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Cycling Summary |
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Day 1: | | optional ride, 22km/13 miles, small climbs | | Day 2: | | 36 km/22 miles, mostly flat, save for 3km, 1230 ft climb | | Day 3: | | long route: 75km/47 miles, 15 mile climb to 1066 ft, then downhill. Short route: 51km/32 miles, mostly downhill and flat | | Day 4: | | long route: 54 km/34 miles, gradual ascent to 1150 feet. Short route: 27km/17 miles, all downhill | | Day 5: | | long route: 99 km/60 miles, all climbing, highest ascent almost 4000 ft. Short route 40km/25 miles, ascend 1425 feet | | Day 6: | | long route: 87 km/54 miles, short hills, long descent, followed by several climbs. Short route: 39km/25 miles, short hills, long descent | | Day 7: | | 42 km/26 miles, climbing up to 2600 ft. | | Day 8: | | long route: 50 km/80 miles, mostly flat, last 15 km climbing. Short route: 50km/30 miles flat along mountain ridge | | Day 9: | | long route: 117km/71 miles initial climb, long descent, flat, then 10km ascent. Short route: 51km/31.5 miles climb, long descent, flat. | | Day 10: | | long route: 114km/70 miles, several ascents/descents. Short route: 62km/38 miles one ascent, long descent, flat. | | Day 11: | | 27.5km/17 miles, low mild climbs | | Day 12: | | Departure | | |
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Prices |
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| 12 Days |
| € 3,660 | $ 4,003 |
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| Single Supplement |
| € 490 | $ 536 |
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* Dollar prices are calculated daily based on the exchange rate. The exchange rate today is: 1.0937
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Inclusions
- Bicycle (Specialized, triple chain ring, 27 gears, carbon fiber fork)
- Accommodations in 3-4 star hotels with daily breakfast
- All dinners
- Vehicle with driver, carrying snacks, water, ice cooler, tools, floor pump, first aid kit, your day packs
- Bike guide / tour leader
- Private archaeology guides at major sites
- Entry fees to archaeology sites
- Ferry transfers
- Maps and cue sheets
- Pre-tour information packet
- Airport transfers in designated time periods
- VAT and taxes
- Bike jersey
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Exclusions
- International airfare
- lunches
- Travel insurance
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